SW-Motech Tail Bags
The tail bags here come from four SW-Motech lines: ION, PRO, Legend Gear and Drybag. The four lines are not four price levels. The capacities overlap, from the 6 litre Legend Gear LR3 up to the 65 litre PRO Travelbag, so the choice is the material, how the bag attaches and how much water it keeps out.
Four lines, and the sizes overlap
ION, PRO, Legend Gear and Drybag are all here, and the line you pick does not fix the size. Legend Gear runs from 6 litres to 52. PRO runs from 8 to 65. The line sets the material and how the bag keeps water out. SW-Motech builds the PRO bags in 1680D Ballistic Nylon, the Legend Gear LR3, LR4 and LR5 in Eco-Tech polyester and the ION S in 600D polyester. Each of those is a water-resistant shell, and the table below says which of them has a waterproof inner bag in the box. The Drybag line deals with water differently, and its six sizes are set out on our dry bags and soft luggage page.
Capacity and mounting, bag by bag
The figures and the mounting wording are SW-Motech's own. A blank cell means SW-Motech does not publish the detail, or we could not confirm it. The 48 litres for the Legend LR2 comes from SW-Motech's article about the LR5.
| Bag | Litres | How it attaches | Waterproof inner bag included |
|---|---|---|---|
| ION S | 7–15 | Loop straps to D-rings, or straps to a seat or rack | Yes |
| ION M | |||
| PRO Roadpack | 8–14 | Loop straps, two Velcro straps and a slot underneath | Yes |
| PRO Tentbag | 18 | Lashing hooks and straps, to the tail or another large PRO tail bag | No |
| PRO Rearbag | 22–34 | Loop straps with a patented lashing hook | Yes |
| PRO Rackpack | 32–42 | Racks; with the rack extension, also carriers, passenger seat or sissy bar | Yes |
| PRO Cargobag | 50 | Four-point lashing strap attachment | Yes |
| PRO Travelbag | 65 | Lashing hooks, conical underside for the passenger seat | Yes |
| Legend Gear LR3 | 6–12 | Four loop straps, non-slip underside, seat or rack | Yes |
| Legend Gear LR4 | 18–25 | Four loop straps, passenger seat or rear rack | Yes |
| Legend LR2 | 48 | ||
| Legend Gear LR5 | 52 | Four loop straps with metal eyelets | Yes |
| Drybag | 8–70 | Loop straps |
The PRO Rackpack and the PRO Tentbag
The PRO Rackpack is the one built for a rack. SW-Motech says it "was developed specifically for use on racks", and that with the luggage rack extension it also mounts on standard carriers, a passenger seat or a sissy bar. The racks themselves are on our SW-Motech luggage racks page.
The PRO Tentbag is the only one SW-Motech describes as strapping to another bag: "With the included straps you can easily attach the bag to other large PRO tail bags like the PRO Cargobag." SW-Motech also says the lashing hooks "secure the bags quickly and easily to the tail". The PRO Tentbag holds what SW-Motech calls "most two-person tents". Its box contains the bag and two straps with two lashing hooks each, and nothing else.
What comes with the bag
The ION S, the PRO bags and the Legend Gear LR3, LR4 and LR5 all have their straps in the box. Nothing else is needed to mount them. Spares are sold separately: loop strap and tie-down sets for the PRO and Legend Gear tail bags, and a waterproof inner bag for the Legend Gear LR3. The tail bags here are for sale with free UK delivery available, and those spares are on our luggage accessories page.
Before you order a tail bag
Are SW-Motech tail bags waterproof, or do they rely on the inner bag?
Only the Drybag line, which SW-Motech itself calls "Waterproof". On the other lines SW-Motech uses a weaker word for the shell, and names the inner bag model by model. The ION S is "600D polyester with water resistant interior coating", with a "Waterproof inner bag included in delivery". The PRO Rearbag, Roadpack, Rackpack and Travelbag are "1680D Ballistic Nylon with splashproof inner lining", with "Weather protection thanks to the supplied waterproof inner bag". The Legend Gear LR3, LR4 and LR5 are "Eco-Tech polyester with a splashproof inner lining", with a "Waterproof inner bag with click closure". SW-Motech publishes no parts list for the ION M or the Legend LR2, and the PRO Tentbag's list has no inner bag.
Do I need a luggage rack to use a tail bag?
No. SW-Motech's tail bags strap or hook to the passenger seat, a rack or the tail, and none of them needs a rack to fit. The Legend Gear LR4 is the one with a strap made for a sissy bar, and SW-Motech lists a "Tunnel insert for sissy bar strap" in the box with it.
Will a SW-Motech tail bag fit my bike?
Usually. SW-Motech lists "Universal fit for almost all motorcycles" as a feature of the PRO Rearbag, the PRO Roadpack, the PRO Rackpack and the PRO Cargobag. Our listings carry a fitment list from the supplier data, so open the product page and check your make against it. The Legend LR2 and the PRO Tentbag are the two exceptions, and their listings read "Not model-specific in the supplier data".
Why do some of these tail bags list two capacities?
The second figure is the volume with the bag expanded, and SW-Motech states both. It says extensions on both sides take the PRO Rackpack from 32 to 42 litres. Where a bag has one figure, that is the only volume SW-Motech publishes.
What size tail bag do I need?
Match the bag to the trip. SW-Motech calls the ION S "Perfect for day trips or short trips", and says the Legend Gear LR3 carries "light luggage" for "day trips, short breaks, or daily use". It describes the Legend Gear LR4 as a bag for "daily commuting, an extended day trip, or a multi-day tour", and says the PRO Rearbag has space for "luggage on the passenger seat". It calls the PRO Travelbag the largest rear bag in its Premium series.